The list below offers two kinds of resources: First, some examples
of readings that explain how scientists determine the antiquity of the solar
system, the stars, and the universe as a whole. And second, guides to creationist
claims and the responses scientists make to them.

1. The Age and Evolution of the Cosmos and its Contents

a. General Readings

The Oct. 1994 issue of Scientific American magazine was devoted to
"Life in the Universe" and has articles on the evolution of the
universe, the Earth, and life.

Kitcher, P. Abusing Science: The Case Against Creationism. 1982, MIT
Press. A philosopher takes a critical look at the claims against evolution
and illuminates the issues involved.

McGowan, C. In the Beginning: A Scientist Shows Why the Creationists are
Wrong. 1984, Prometheus Books. A Canadian zoologist examines and refutes
creationist arguments.

National Academy of Science. Teaching about Evolution and the Nature of
Science. 1998, National Academy Press. A guide for teachers.

Ruse, M., ed. But Is It Science? 1996, Prometheus. A collection of
articles about the creationism/evolution controversy, by scientists, philosophers,
etc.

Strahler, A. Science and Earth History: The Evolution / Creation Controversy.
1987, Prometheus Books. A discussion from the geologist's point of view,
with lots of information about dating the Earth's rocks.

Tuomey, C. God's Own Scientists: Creationists in a Secular World.
1994, Rutgers U. Press. An anthropologist examines the culture of creationism
as if he were looking at far-away tribe.

Wilson, D., ed. Did the Devil Make Darwin Do It? Modern Perspectives on
the Creation-Evolution Controversy. 1983, Iowa State U. Press. Interesting
collection of essays, by historians, scientists, and educators, laying out
the history of the controversy and the perspectives of the sciences.

Gould, Stephen Rocks of Ages: Science and Religion in the Fullness of
Life. 1999, Library of Contemporary Thought. A well-known scientist and
popularizer looks at the relationship between science and religion.

Articles

Abell, G. "The Ages of the Earth and the Universe" in Godfrey,
Laurie, ed. Scientists Confront Creationism. 1983, Norton.

Asimov, I. "The Threat of Creationism" in the New York Times
Magazine, June 14, 1981, p. 90.

Rusk, J. "Answers to Creationism" in The Planetarian (Journal
of the International Planetarium Society), Sep. 1988, vol. 17, No. 3.

Magazines that Follow the Controversy

Reports of the National Center for Science Education, P.O. Box 9477,
Berkeley, CA 94709. The center works to oppose the efforts of creationists
and to assist educators who want to present the evolutionary perspective.

Skeptical Inquirer Magazine, CSICOP, P.O. Box 703, Amherst, NY 14226.
The official magazine of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of
Claims of the Paranormal, the leading skeptical group in the world; it seeks
to educate teachers and the public about fantastic claims and how to test
them.

A Few Helpful Websites:

National Center for Science Education [www.ncseweb.org/]
is the key organization working to oppose the efforts of creationists and
to assist educators who want to present the evolutionary perspective. The
site is full of excellent information and links.

Science and Creationism [bob.nap.edu/html/creationism/]
is a short booklet from the National Academy of Sciences, with a fine summary
of the scientific perspective on evolution.

Talk.Origins Archive [www.talkorigins.org]
contains articles, essays, and discussion about all aspects of the creation/evolution
controversy.

Questions and Answers about Creationism/Evolution: [www2.uic.edu/~vuletic/cefec.html]
A nicely organized summary of creationist arguments and scientific responses.

Voyages through Time [www.seti.org/education/vtt-bg.html]
is a curriculum for a one-year high school integrated science course centered
on the unifying theme of evolution, being developed by the SETI Institute
and others.

A Few Resources on Science and Religion:

The American Scientific Affiliation (http://www.asa3.org)
is an organization of professional scientists who are Christians. This group
has written a handbook for teachers: "Teaching Science in a Climate of
Controversy" (http://www.asa3.org/ASA/resources.html),
which includes activities for students, and teaching strategies. It emphasizes
the remaining open questions in biological and cosmic evolution, as well as
the solid evidence for the parts that we do understand.

There is also a web site and email list of professional astronomers who are
Christians: http://www.calvin.edu/~dhaarsma/chr-astro.html.
Many religions other than Christian, of course, may be represented among your
students. The web site www.geocities.com/fourtyres
contains a thoughtful article, by science teacher Dr. Douglas Hayhoe, about
some possible relationships between science and religion.